Apparatus for producing corrugated board



Feb. 27, 1968 T- J. SHANLEY 3,371,006

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CORRUGATED BOARD Filed Aug. 31, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/G. Z

INVENTOR THOMAS J. SHANLEY ATTORNEYS BY /ww Feb. 27 1968 T. J. SHANLEY 3,371,006

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CORRUGATED BOARD Filed Aug. 31, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A F/ G. 3 F G. 4

F G. 6 F G. 7

56 INVENTOR AN 8 BY W ZZZ/Z ATTORNEYJ United States Patent Ofifice 3,371,006 Patented Feb. 27, 1968 3,371,066 APPARATUS FOR PRGDUCING CCRRUGATED EUARD Thomas .l. Shaniey, Milford, NJL, assignor of fifty percent to Diamond Shamrock Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 31, 1964, Ser. No. 393,076 11 Claims. (Cl. 156-473) The present invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for the manufacture of corrugated boxboard, and more particularly to an improvement in apparatus for controlling the movement of the corrugated medium through the adhesive application zone prior to facing.

Prior corrugating machines for the manufacture of corrugated boxboard, such as the apparatus manufactured by the S 8: S Corrugated Paper Machine Company, Inc. and termed Right Hand Corrugating and Combining Machine illustrated in the Corrugated Fibre Box Manufacturers Handbook, revised edition (1957), provide at least two meshing corrugating rolls positioned to corrugate a planar cellulosic element passing therebetween, and a pressure roll positioned therewith to control the contact of the multiple layers during the process of bonding.

It is essential for the proper operation of a corrugating and combining machine that the cellulosic element to be corrugated be guided in flight through the machine. The guiding of the cellulosic element is also essential to prevent it from remaining engaged on the corrugating rolls and thereby causing buildup or wrapping that would result in work stoppage or possibly breakage of the machine.

In prior apparatus, at least one of the corrugating rolls is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, circumferential grooves extending radially beneath the corrugations in which grooves are disposed a plurality of stationary guide fingers extending outwardly from the circumferential grooves of said roll, thereby to strip the corrugated element from said roll, engage and guide it from between said rolls. These fingers extend toward and terminate adjacent the pressure roll to guide the corrugated element around the second corrugating roll, through the zone where adhesive may be applied to prepare the media for adhesion to a second planar cellulosic element in a single facing operation.

A guide finger of prior apparatus is adapted to fit circumferentially adjacent one of said corrugating rolls with one end extending into one of the circumferential grooves in the other corrugator roll, serving as a stripper to re move the corrugated element from the first of the corrugating rolls and guide its flight around the second corrugating roll, after having passed through the corrugating zone. Another prior guide finger is illustrated, eg, US. Patent No. 2,499,267, Conner, which utilizes a jet stream of liquid or gas, i.e., fluid, as a stripper for removing the corrugated element from one of said corrugating rolls, and then via guide strips cooperating with the stripper, the corrugated element is guided around the second corrugating roll.

The principal difficulty with prior means for controlling the flight of the corrugated element particularly in those instances where an adhesive or other surface coating or spray is to be applied to the corrugated element after corrugation, but prior to facing in the manufacture of corrugated boxboard, is that the guide fingers hereto fore have prohibited the proper application of adhesive to the entire corrugated surface that is to be bonded to a facing element, thus leaving portions of the corrugated board shielded from the adhesive or other surface coating or spray by the guide fingers over which it passes through the various steps of corrugation and adhesive application.

For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,077,222, Shanley, issued Feb. 12, 1963, discloses the use of a stiifening agent and adhesive which is sprayed on to the corrugated ele ment after corrugation but prior to facing. With typical prior guide fingers, it is impossible completely to coat the corrugated element with the stiffening agent; only the areas on either side of the fingers can be coated with the adhesive and stiffening agent, thereby leaving uncoated areas.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide new and improved means for guiding a corrugated element during the manufacture of corrugated boxboard therefrom in a manner to facilitate uni form application of material to the corrugated surface.

A further object of the present invention is that of providing a means whereby a stiffening agent may be applied to the entire surface of a corrugated element prior to facing, making possible the manufacture of a corrugated boxboa-rd having improved rigidity and strength.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the discussion of the invention hereinafter and from the drawings.

Pursuant to these objects, the present invention is directed to a new and improved guide finger and to an improvement in a corrugating and combining machine having at least two meshing corrugating rolls positioned to corrugate a planar cellulosic element passing therebetween, and a pressure roll positioned therewith to control the contact of the multiple layers during the process of bonding in the manufacture of corrugated box-board, the guide finger comprising an elongated body portion having an arcuate concave surface extending along one side of said body portion and defining an uninterrupted concavity, said body portion also having a cross section altered subjacent said concavity, said interrupted crossscction, providing more direct access to material carried on said guide finger from beneath said material. At least one of the aforesaid corrugating rolls is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, circumferential grooves extending radially beneath the corrugations in which grooves are disposed a plurality of stationary guide fingers extending outwardly from the circumferential grooves of said roll, thereby to strip the corrugated element from said roll, engage and guide it from between said rolls. The fingers extend toward and terminate adjacent the pressure roll to guide the corrugated element around the second corrugating roll, through the zone where adhesive may be applied to prepare the media for adhesion to a second planar cellulosic element in an operation termed single facing.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, sectional end view of apparatus including corrugating rolls and guide fingers of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view, partially in section, of guide fingers and their relationship to the grooved corrugating roll with certain portions exaggerated for clarity; and

FIGS. 3 through 8 illustrate various embodiments of guide fingers of this invention.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 include and illustrate operative parts of this invention, as Well as support and drive means that are not shown, that are conventional, for example, commercial corrugated board-forming apparatus, such as the S & S Corrugated Paper Machienry Company, Inc. Right Hand Corrugating and Combining Machine illustrated in the Corrugated Fibre Box Manufacturers Handbook, revised edition 1957) can be used in the practice of this invention.

It is to be understood that although the pressure and corrugating rolls have been shown, in FIG. 1, in a particular position in relationship to each other, it is not to be so limited, since changes in this respect are within the full intended scope of this invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, in FIG. 1, a cellulosic sheet or liner 2, by means not shown, is passed over and around an upper corrugating roll 4 into the corrugating passage between said upper corrugating roll 4 and a cooperating meshing lower corrugating roll 6 as shown at 8. The corrugated element is stripped from the upper corrugating roll 4, as it emerges from between the meshing of the corrugating rolls 4 and 6 by end ft of stationary guide finger 12 held in position by a conventional holder 14 supported by conventional means. The end 10 of guide finger 12 is adapted to fit into one of the grooves 16 in the upper corrugating roll 4, to engage and guide the corrugated element as soon as it leaves the corrugating passage. Finger 12 extends circumferentially adjacent the lower corrugating roll 6 extending toward and terminating adjacent the pressure roll 18 to guide the corrugated element 3 to a point between lower corrugating roll 6 and pressure roll 18 where it comes into contact with a second cellulosic liner 20, as shown at 22, the two being adhesively bonded together between rolls 6 and 18 to form a single-faced element 24 known as single-faced boxboard. The application of an adhesive and/or stiffening agent to the corrugated element after corrugation but prior to facing is achieved by the use of spray nozzles 25 mounted directly below the lower corrugating roll 6 around which the element being treated passes.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view, with certain proportions exaggerated for clarity, of a portion of corrugator roll 4 and fingers 12 indicating their relationship to each other, roll 4 having grooves 16 to accommodate the topmost end 10 of fingers 12 as they come in contact with sheet 2 in guiding its movement from corrugator roll 4 around and beneath corrugator roll 6.

It is to be inderstood that although the drawings may suggest that the uninterrupted concavity of the hereinafter described guide fingers maintain a given distance from the circumference of the roll and the entire length of said finger, it is not to be so limited, as in some instances the interrupted concavity may embody a relief therein intermediate its ends which is of a greater distance from the roll than are the ends.

FIG. 3 represents a guide finger 26 generally shown as 12 in FIG. 1, comprising two pieces, 28 being the main body, which is supported or held in place by the finger holder, and the second portion 30 of said finger 26 is secured to the basic end 28 by welding or brazing as at 32. Piece 30 is so offset as to allow the media being guided in travel thereon to be exposed to the adhesive and/or stiffening agent being applied from a means therebelow.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a guide finger f the invention adaptable for use with conventional type machinery used in the fabrication of corrugated boxboard. Finger 34 from which a portion has been removed as at 36 from the concave surface of the finger, this opening 36 being bridged by a piano wire or the like, as shown at 38, and being mounted and secured in place to one edge of the opening or recess 36, affords a means by which spraying of adhesive and/or stiffening agent is possible over the entire surface of the media. The securing of said bridge 38 to said finger 34 can conveniently be accomplished by welding or brazing as shown at 40.

FIGS. and 6 show still another embodiment of the invention by which an adhesive and/or stiffening agent may be applied to the entire surface of the corrugated medium being treated. Finger 42 is provided with an offset portion as at 44, which is adapted to be positioned directly below the lower corrugator roll and above the point of spraying when the corrugating machine is assembled in the normal manner of operation. This type finger offers the advantage of allowing the entire surface of the corrugated element to be exposed to the application of adhesive and/or stiffening agent. The portion of the corrugated element shielded by the finger is exposed as it passes over the offset thereby making possible the manufacture of a corrugated boxboard with rigidity heretofore unknown.

FIG. 7 represents a guide finger 46 embodying a recess shown at 48, which reduces the depth of the finger to only that necessary to support and guide the corrugated element being processed, thereby making possible the application of adhesive and/ or stiffening agent by spraying, bringing to a minimum the area of the corrugated element that is protected from spraying by the guide finger.

FIG. 8, shown partially in section, represents still another embodiment of this invention wherein 50 is the guide finger, end 52 is equipped with a means to direct a liquid or gas jet, as shown at 54, onto the fabric being treated, but not shown, to strip it from the upper corrugating roll and guide it by means of end 56 of finger 59 through the adhesive and/ or stiffening agent application zone. End 56, of piano wire or the like is secured to the basic end 52 of finger 50 by Welding or brazing as at 58. End 56 is so offset as to allow the media being guided in travel thereon to be exposed to the adhesive rand/or stiffening agent being applied from a means therebelow.

Each of the aforedescribed embodiments of this invention are operable for use in the guiding of a corrugated element being treated with adhesive or other surface coating or spray in the manufacture of corrugated boxboard. However, the preferred ones are those shown in the drawings as FIGS. 3 and 8. FIG. 8, like FIG. 3, comprises a finger of two parts, one being of piano wire or the like and offset in structure to permit the entire surface of an element traveling thereon to be exposed to application of a coating material from therebelow. FIG. 8 differs from FIG. 3 in that at one end it is equipped with a means to provide a liquid or gas jet suitable as a stripper in removing the element being processed from the upper corrugating roll and directing its movement in the desired direction.

It is to be understood that each and every embodiment of this invention as shown in the drawings is adaptable to use with the aforedescribed liquid or gas jet stripping end. Although shown only in FIG. 8, it is not meant to be so limited.

It is to be understood that although the invention has been described with specific reference to particular embodiments thereof, it is not to be so limited, since changes and alterations therein may be made which are within the full intended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A guide finger comprising an elongated body portion having an arcuate concave surface extending along one side of said body portion and defining an uninterrupted concavity, said uninterrupted concavity maintaining a given distance from the circumference of the roll the entire length of said finger, said body portion also having a cross-section altered subjacent said concavity, said interrupted cross-section providing more direct access to material carried on said guide finger from beneath said ma terial.

2. A guide finger as in claim 1 wherein said body portron 1s crimped intermediate its ends.

3. A guide finger as in claim 2 wherein said body portion is crimped to provide a recess of a depth at least equal to the thickness of said finger.

4. A guide finger as in claim 1 wherein a portion of said surface comprises a cantilevered element.

5. A guide finger as in claim 4 wherein said cantilevered portion is secured to one side of said finger.

6, A guide finger as in claim 4 wherein said cantilevered portion is formed of piano 'wire.

7. A guide finger as in claim 1 wherein a portion of said surface comprises a bridging element extending over a recess in said finger.

8. A guide finger as in claim 6 wherein said bridging element is secured to one side of said recess in said finger.

9. A guide finger as in claim 1 wherein a section of said body portion has been removed subjacent said surface.

10. A guide finger as in claim 1 wherein one end is equipped with a means comprising a device for directing a jet of fluid under pressure toward the corrugating passage and against one side of the corrugated paper.

11. In a machine for making corrugated boxboard, in combination, cooperating corrugating rolls and means for continuously stripping from the surface of one roll and directing onto the other roll the freshly corrugated strip issuing from the roll passage, said means comprising a guide finger as in claim 1.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1963 Shanley 156473 11/1965 Werner 156-473 

1. A GUIDE FINGER COMPRISING AN ELONGATED BODY PORTION HAVING AN ARCUATE CONCAVE SURFACE EXTENDING ALONG ONE SIDE OF SAID BODY PORTION AND DEFINING AN UNINTERRUPTED CONCAVITY, SAID UNINTERRUPTED CONCAVITY MAINTAINING A GIVEN DISTANCE FROM THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE ROLL THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF SAID FINGER, SAID BODY PORTION ALSO HAVING A CROSS-SECTION ALTERED SUBJACENT SAID CONCAVITY, SAID INTERRUPTED CROSS-SECTION PROVIDING MORE DIRECT ACCESS TO MATERIAL CARRIED ON SAID GUIDE FINGER FROM BENEATH SAID MATERIAL.
 11. IN A MACHINE FOR MAKING CORRUGATED BOXBOARD, IN COMBINATION, COOPERATING CORRUGATING ROLLS AND MEANS FOR CONTINUOUSLY STRIPPING FROM THE SURFACE OF ONE ROLL AND DIRECTING ONTO THE OTHER ROLL THE FRESHLY CORRUGATED STRIP ISSUING FROM THE ROLL PASSAGE, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A GUIDE FINGER AS IN CLAIM
 1. 